tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.comments2016-04-07T10:46:54.071-07:00Nathan's blogNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02391341404533498685noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-2224158841920333942016-04-07T10:46:54.071-07:002016-04-07T10:46:54.071-07:00What we’ve been seeing unfold is on a political sc...What we’ve been seeing unfold is on a political scale that both of us probably wanted to see happen 45 years ago, but it never quite got there -- probably because it was too tied to an atrocious war and folks being conscripted. Today, economic inequality and the dearth of good jobs and opportunities are such pervasive, diffuse and insidious demographic realities that a greater number of folks are being affected, and THAT is making THIS political revolution a far larger grassroots movement than we have ever witnessed or believed would come about. I’ve even heard it referred to as the “American Spring.”<br /><br />Of course, there’s no roadmap here, and this is uncharted ground for most. Fortunately, however, there’s a huge millennial population whose energy, enthusiasm, idealism, and distrust of the establishment echoes what we had a taste of in our day.<br /> <br />I’m deeply gratified to have lived to see this resurgence of populist revulsion toward an oppressive status quo, and its agents and handmaidens. <br /><br />But, by contrast, what I find mystifying is how Obama’s approval rating has risen above 50% for the first time in a while. WHAT HAS HE DONE TO DESERVE IT, when he’s still the arch proponent of corporate supremacy in the forms of TPP and TTIP, and is still pushing for offshore drilling, is still the Drone serial-killing President, has proposed a SCOTUS nominee who has already upheld and expanded on Citizens United [by joining the D.C. Circuit's opinion in SpeechNow.org v. FEC, which invalidated limits on campaign contributions], has proposed nothing to reform the tax code that actually functions as a de facto “wealthcare plan” for the super-wealthy and the corporations , . . . (shall I continue?)?<br /> <br />But I certainly agree with you that Bernie has single-handedly dispelled the bugbear about “soshulizm” (that’s the Tea Party spelling); yet, has accomplished even more by offering a credible populist narrative about wealth redistribution through taxes being the means to have government work FOR the people. In fact, he has literally spelled out for the vast majority of the body politic what its ensemble of “best interests” are, and he has demonstrated traction on that agenda like we’ve “never, ever” seen before.<br /> <br />These are very very interesting times, and it is a most heartening and validating experience for those of us who are still very much progressive radicals at heart and mind from the 60s and 70s.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03444110886573725493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-62959299226136834152013-11-25T14:34:54.396-08:002013-11-25T14:34:54.396-08:00I am an NYU grad student doing research on Harlem ...I am an NYU grad student doing research on Harlem CORE and CORE in NYC. Were you in CCNY CORE? How can I contact you to interview you for my research? I am at harlemcore@aol.com. If you have not seen my sites, you can check out harlemcore.com and corenyc.org <br /><br /> Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02438904486756588566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-959777617426174872011-10-26T19:20:35.133-07:002011-10-26T19:20:35.133-07:00The current Dems should take a lesson from FDR, wh...The current Dems should take a lesson from FDR, who acknowledged that the swells hated him, calling him a "traitor to his class." His reply was that he welcomed their hatred. The Occupy movement has transformed the discussion about our nation's ills, and the Democratic Party can ignore the hue and cry at their peril.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08684019037423136102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-54326288601225279332011-10-25T19:50:49.332-07:002011-10-25T19:50:49.332-07:00Allow me to be among the first ( if not the first)...Allow me to be among the first ( if not the first) to comment on this new blog posting.<br /><br />The Conference Board published its consumer confidence report (http://www.conference-board.org/press/pressdetail.cfm?pressid=4321) this morning and it indicates that:<br /><br />"Consumer Confidence Index®, which had slightly improved in September, declined in October. The Index now stands at 39.8 (1985=100), down from 46.4 in September. The Present Situation Index decreased to 26.3 from 33.3. The Expectations Index declined to 48.7 from 55.1 last month."<br /><br />Anyone who attempts to dismiss the Occupation movements just doesn't "get it" that the popular mobilizations manifest reality in the real numbers of massive social, economic and political discontent.John de Clef Piñeirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695079277714867739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-22782427849881604422010-10-16T08:47:10.616-07:002010-10-16T08:47:10.616-07:00As a participant in the Civil Rights, Women's ...As a participant in the Civil Rights, Women's Rights and Tenants Rights movements of the 1960-70's I will agree with Nathan's non-hierarchical organization of the movement. It was at the grassroots level that much of the work was done. Without that street level organizing, nothing of consequence would have occurred on the legislative level. And that action was egalitarian, very often 100% consensus based decision-making being the methods of operation.<br /><br />As for the online social networking, I think the jury is still out. These new generations need to be motivated to action and it remains to be seen what can be done to get them moving en masse. Let's look at what MoveOn.org has accomplished online. They have also used online connection to organize community level action, bringing people physically together for phone banking, discussions, and other organizing efforts. <br /><br />I am not a great fan of this type of organizing, as it feels centrally organized with little ability to influence the center but it needs to be looked at seriously.<br /><br />Care2 is another online social networking venture. It has not done much in its blogs to coordinate action, but oftimes people will reflect how they have been influenced by the writing and support from anonymous people. <br /><br />Then there are the numerous petition and phone calling efforts that bring tens of thousands into a process to affect some change.<br /><br />I think we need to be open-minded in evaluating the ultimate effects and possibilities of such communication. The importance of this venue is revealed in the top heavy handed efforts to control the internet because of its 'egalitarian' open door policy. Look at the brouhaha over Wikileaks, as only one recent example of the impact that online communications can have.tamarquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15024427005110547780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-72553441995394156532010-10-15T06:33:20.673-07:002010-10-15T06:33:20.673-07:00I agree that social networks like Twitter and Face...I agree that social networks like Twitter and Facebook are not going to be our tools for revolution, despite their far reach, which accounts for millions of members. What we need, and what left young people have been trying to do, is create a physical grassroots movement. It's one thing to twitter about a demonstration, it's another to join it, to go to it's planning meetings and discuss with organizers plans for the next. That is what I understood the Civil Rights Movement to be; one of democratic action.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-83765552148765420722010-04-22T09:12:32.858-07:002010-04-22T09:12:32.858-07:00Thanks, Emily. I haven't read Fierce Attachmen...Thanks, Emily. I haven't read Fierce Attachments, but maybe I should. I hope to post more vignettes, but I'm running out of recollections!Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02391341404533498685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-28284971500617506622010-04-20T07:29:21.736-07:002010-04-20T07:29:21.736-07:00Nathan!!! I love your blog. It reminds me of two o...Nathan!!! I love your blog. It reminds me of two other things I love: Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick (have you read it?) and the first 10 minutes of Annie Hall (I love the rest, too, of course). I'll look forward to reading your future posts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14268709867227278050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-3960879793570022792010-03-01T12:18:58.449-08:002010-03-01T12:18:58.449-08:00Hello Dihjet,
I don't really think she borrowe...Hello Dihjet,<br />I don't really think she borrowed the dog. She bought it for me, and then couldn't tolerate it, I believe. And yes, we have a cat now, but he's actually our daughters' cat.<br />The little boy I was is pretty much healed; after all, that incident happened a half-century ago. --NathanNathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02391341404533498685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-79858371537646120822010-03-01T11:45:14.099-08:002010-03-01T11:45:14.099-08:00Okay, I only saw that ending coming at the very en...Okay, I only saw that ending coming at the very end. Very depressing; You never asked her if she just borrowed the dog to motivate you? Now I need to cheer myself up...... Let's go back and heal that little boy. Don't you have a cat now? My first dog was named Skipper so it was especially poignant.Dihjethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00018257662283858971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-62806497422263769772010-02-08T08:18:49.619-08:002010-02-08T08:18:49.619-08:00Cool - I like this story a lot.Cool - I like this story a lot.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-54519718014727260762010-02-01T09:37:25.928-08:002010-02-01T09:37:25.928-08:00Nathan,
Thank you for sharing these stories. Your...Nathan,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing these stories. Your observations of life, and of growing up, are inspiring and insightful.<br /><br />Reading this reminded me of quote: "To bend a bamboo, start when it is a shoot." Yes...the bamboo can bend from many things, including one's father.ArthurZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12822999556835349650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-2847341326837972702010-01-11T09:01:48.856-08:002010-01-11T09:01:48.856-08:00I remember those days of my youth, when movies wer...I remember those days of my youth, when movies were magical. Actually, I still find them magical. Maybe movies are one link to our childhood that some of us never lose.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-87984149802158328812010-01-06T12:21:02.741-08:002010-01-06T12:21:02.741-08:00Nate! (Anyone call you that?) Your mom sounds like...Nate! (Anyone call you that?) Your mom sounds like a fascinating woman, and I'd love to read more about her.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-47322334923781613972009-12-20T17:47:15.188-08:002009-12-20T17:47:15.188-08:00Great story! (Some parts familiar even to a boy wh...Great story! (Some parts familiar even to a boy who grew up in Baltimore) Can't wait for the next chapter.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15886929751924132452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-89157829029391348822009-12-16T18:09:08.199-08:002009-12-16T18:09:08.199-08:00Wonderful stuff, Nathan. A good opening for a full...Wonderful stuff, Nathan. A good opening for a full-length bio. You have a rythm and language all your own -- style, I think they call it. You pegged Mr. Macho, too, 'cause that is exactly what I thought about his actions. It must have been nice to grow up in a famous place during a famous time. Who cares about Elmont in the 1970s? I am dying to know what happened to you in your 40s, and do you have any Mafia stories?Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-25228083734003536542009-12-08T06:29:36.100-08:002009-12-08T06:29:36.100-08:00And look at what lawyers, doctors and financiers m...And look at what lawyers, doctors and financiers make in starting salaries. Even back then. It's kind of a joke when you think about how poorly paid editors are. (I think all your subjects were in the editorial field). Might be interesting to look at other fields, though it might be hard to find participants.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-10075254935855506642009-11-05T12:28:31.750-08:002009-11-05T12:28:31.750-08:00Dad, this by far your best post. I just watched &q...Dad, this by far your best post. I just watched "Milk" for the fist time the other day, as I already told you, and was impressed by his bravery and the bravery of so many other gay right activists but also terribly depressed at how little change there has been since Milk's death. Maine's decision to revoke the right for gay men and women to get married is an example of government's unconstitutional abuse of its citizens. To not grant a basic right is horrible. To grant it, and then revoke it, is unacceptable. It also makes our government seem arbitrary. First they grant the privelege, then, like a three-year-old, they steal it back. Who knows what this fickle child will do tomorrow. Smart citizens should teach America (and Maine) some mannersSam McQuadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17816140094769348288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-78186515242159919282009-11-05T12:21:48.056-08:002009-11-05T12:21:48.056-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sam McQuadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17816140094769348288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-39580831505111124622009-11-05T12:04:19.282-08:002009-11-05T12:04:19.282-08:00There is a phenomenal architect and urban planner ...There is a phenomenal architect and urban planner named Andres Duany who talked about precicely this. He says one of the most ironic aspects of highways is that they are constructed with the intention of easing traffic when they in fact do the opposite. Duany says traffic growth is directly porportional to increases space, so that the more highway lanes available, the more cars will come to fill them up. Cut down on highways, cut down on cars. <br />My question to auto, cement, and oil lobbyists is, don't they get carsick?Sam McQuadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17816140094769348288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-77835912642855430832009-09-12T15:53:46.711-07:002009-09-12T15:53:46.711-07:00Great. Incidentally, hope you had a good time on y...Great. Incidentally, hope you had a good time on your camping trip. We'll see you soon.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02391341404533498685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-58449276456429437022009-09-12T05:30:13.375-07:002009-09-12T05:30:13.375-07:00Nathan, thanks for reminding me that Excel is a gr...Nathan, thanks for reminding me that Excel is a great tool. Instead of wasting paper scratching out equations, why not just use Excel? It's all there....ArthurZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12822999556835349650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-82973104677907509902009-09-01T04:53:17.958-07:002009-09-01T04:53:17.958-07:00Hi, Nathan,
This was very interesting. Have you th...Hi, Nathan,<br />This was very interesting. Have you thought about linking up with a university center for writing? Many have them and I'm sure business students would benefit from your experience. Just a thought. Patti A.Palmitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597779615405832777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-79495065277543862662009-08-06T07:25:15.002-07:002009-08-06T07:25:15.002-07:00Hi Nathan --
This blog is a great idea -- understa...Hi Nathan --<br />This blog is a great idea -- understanding the theories behind the number crunching is very helpful. I look forward to future posts.<br />Jennifer White KarpAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02014373424431319393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8668192231518165766.post-32357594569023825322009-03-17T08:35:00.000-07:002009-03-17T08:35:00.000-07:00Yes...I know exactly what you mean.Yes...I know exactly what you mean.ArthurZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12822999556835349650noreply@blogger.com